'Not the first time I had to flee for my life': Read journal entries by Ukrainian refugees

LAS CRUCES - When Las Crucens John and Robert Curnutt traveled to Moldova in March, they not only worked to help Ukrainian refugees, they also collected stories of people displaced by war.

The father and son told the Sun-News that a large part of what they did was drive people to refugee centers, train stations and other locations after they had crossed the border from Ukraine to Moldova. The rides were often quiet as people rested, knowing they were safe.

John took a journal with him and throughout the two weeks he and his father were in Europe, he passed the journal around to those willing to write their story.

Las Crucen Katya Moore, who is from Russia and a friend of the Curnutt family, translated the entries. She said she was surprised to find all of the writing in Russian rather than Ukrainian— though both are Slavic languages and use similar alphabets.

"The people are suffering. It's horrible," Moore said. "The most sorry I feel for the people who did not have any means or friends to escape to or any relatives abroad. They still there."

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Here are six entries written by Ukrainian refugees translated into English.

Olga

"My name is Olga, I am from Ukraine. I was born in Nikolaev and resided there for the last 34 years. I have a wonderful husband and an amazing son. We were trying really hard to provide well for our family by any means available and we had big plans for the future. However, it all ended on February 24th when war came to Ukraine.

"At 5 am we heard the first explosions. I was mostly scared for my son, who thankfully was fast asleep and was not frightened. I was hoping that there was no war (Thankfully I personally did not witness any military action). However, my mind exploded when I heard air sirens, artillery, and we had to run to our safety to the basement. I refused to believe that what was happening was an actual war and was still hoping that the new day would bring peace.

"On the 11th day of the war, I made the decision to leave my house and save myself and my child. Having Russian relatives and suffering from Russian military that was destroying our houses and killing civilians, my son and I had to flee from our city to Moldova. I am Ukrainian and I love my city and I hope that all the military action will cease and we will have a chance to return to our city because we still have our relatives living there (those who did not want or was not able to leave).

"War is horrible! On one hand we were getting used to the constant bombardment but on the other hand my child was waking up crying even by the slightest noise. Early in the morning we drove from our city and then walked to the border for 7 miles. It was very quiet. When we crossed the boarder I calmed down because I knew that there was no threat to my life or to the life of my child. I am thankful to God that I am alive and I am praying for Ukraine."

Elena

"My name is Elena born 1985, lived in Odessa. Recently I had to leave my place because of the sudden military operation in Ukraine that partially affected Odesa. At 5 am, Feb 24 Russia invaded Ukraine and I heard several shots and loud noises followed by the noise of a low flying airplane.

"I woke up not from the noise but to feed my daughter. At that moment I still had hope that it was a continuing celebration of Feb 23 holiday (Day of the National Defender, a Russian Holiday) by airplane parade. Deep inside, however, I knew this was wrong. From that moment on I was so scared that I heard the noises of non existent airplanes for the next three weeks. I was carefully listening for every suspicious sound and was constantly looking into an unfriendly sky. I was most scared for my children Vetenka and Irochka.

"Despite us never witnessing any real horrors of war (I thank God for that) we made a decision to move to a safer place because we could not bear to wait in horror for another rocket to land on the roof of our house. Now I feel very confident that the lives of my children, my mother and I are out of danger and I want to express my thanks to the (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). Thank you for organizing our travel, all the help, and for the placement free of charge in a comfortable apartment (because I saw the tents along the road pitched up for the rest of the refugees). Again, thank you for your help!"

Olga Z.

"Today I left our house in Odesa. Me, my three sons, my sister, my two nieces, and my father. We were all in tears when we made our decision to leave our house. My father was especially distraught because he lived in that house for 40 years.

"I am an interpreter and I immediately volunteered to make our coworkers aware about our situation when the war started. I also considered staying in Ukraine to support my husband who was mobilized on the second day of war. But every new day brought shelling and soon I realized that hiding in bunkers day and night to protect ourselves was more than I could bare.

"My kids and I started to get scared of every loud noise. When we were on a walk during quiet times, I was always watchful of my son picking up a handmade explosive device. Banks stopped working and that meant that I could no longer rely on my friends form abroad to help me with money. This hell of constant explosions, unemployment and fear is impossible to handle.

"This is why I decided to leave I still can not sleep through praying for my husband to survive. However, I know that my kids are safe. I still cannot believe that we lost our house and everything we had in a matter of days. Now we are at the mercy of God and kind strangers!"

Valeria

"My name is Valeria and today I left Nikolaev. I am sorry to say that this is not the first time I had to flee for my life. In 2014 my parents and I left Donetzk because of war. Now the war moved further.

"I am 17 and am very sorry to leave my house yet again. It so happened that this time I was the only one leaving. Sometimes I feel scared but other times I believe in myself and hope for the best. I hope that I will see my family in the future."

Katya

"My name is Katya. I have a husband, named Nikolaj and children: Sasha, Valyja, Lev, Somonija, Nafonja, Ilusha, and Luchana. We live in the city of Kodelka (north of Odesa oblast which is on the border of Prendestrovije).

"When the war started we began to worry about the safety of our children since Russian troops were stationed nearby. Russia was always interested in making a corridor to connect with their forces in the Northeast going through our region. If these plans were to materialize our settlement could become the front line for military maneuvers.

"We prayed a lot and my husband felt it was necessary to move our family to the safe location. Despite the fact that we just purchased our house last November and had a month worth supply of food and other necessary items, we decided to move our kids away form the danger to our friends in Bulgaria.

"Unfortunately our car broke down and we had to seek help of strangers. I am very thankful that there are a lot of people helping others in such difficult times. Thank you very much for all your help and support! God bless!"

Olja and Nadja (sisters)

"2014 was the first time we found out what it means to be in the warzone. We left our home for Kiev. Feb 24, 2022 we heard explosions again. We went to work but it was very difficult to wait to hear shots!

"We all know what it is to be at war. Thank God! For his love for us! For his help with nice people on our journey! Thank you very much for your help! We are very thankful!"

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Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: 'War is horrible!' Read journal entries by Ukraine refugees